Manipur witnessed highest increase in foreign tourists

Imphal, February 27: Manipur witnessed the highest percentage increase in foreign tourists arrival during the year 2013-14 in the country.This was revealed by Governor Dr KK Paul while addressing the Budget session of the Assembly in Imphal on Wednesday.

“There is a steady rise in the number of tourist arrival in the State, both domestic as well as foreign,” said Governor. “The number of tourists in 2013-14 was 1,45,647 of which 1,43,059 were domestic and 2,588 foreign.”With a view to generate employment and investment opportunities in the Tourism sector in the State, a Manipur Tourism Policy, 2014 was notified which came into effect from June 11, 2014, he added.Sources pointed out that the inflow of tourists, both domestic and foreigners, are comparatively on the rise in Manipur after the lifting of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system in January 2011, news agency NorthEast Today reported. After lifting of PAP for foreigners entering Manipur, as many as 768 foreigners visited the State in 2012-13 against previous year’s record of 602. In 2010-11, a total of 431 foreign tourists visited the State while 405 visited Manipur in 2009-10 and just 271 in 2008-09, as per Manipur Tourism department records.There were 1,31,803 domestic tourists in 2012-13 against 1,33,224 in 2011-12. But in 2010-11, it was only about 1,16,652 while in 2009-10 it was 1,27,524. The total domestic tourists in 2008-09 was around 1,15,300.